Gasoline, electric and steam cars vied for attention when the show was first held in 1900. Steam cars are no longer with us, but conventional gasoline vehicles have been joined by a few credible electric cars this year.

As is often the case, this year’s New York show is a long-lead preview at the future. Several of the cars shown (the Subaru Impreza and the Kia Rio) won’t go on sale until this fall, while others (the Chevrolet Malibu and the refreshed Ford Taurus), will not be available until early 2012.

Note: information in this report follows the show schedule.

New vehicles

2012 Honda Civic

Civic Sedan	Civic Coupe

Delayed since the fall of 2010, the new Honda Civic, marketed as a 2012 model, was unveiled at the New York show the same day it went on sale.

For the sedan, only keen Civic spotters will notice new details like the fixed front-door quarter windows, a prominent front grille replacing the previous low-key chromed accent garnish and chunkier lines, within a very familiar silhouette. The coupe (lower, and built on a shorter wheelbase than the sedan), with a longer roofline and more fastback styling, is a much sleeker car than the squat, chunky car it replaces, and is easily identifiable as a new car.

The cabin is all new as well, but, with a prominent central tachometer and digital speedometer, it is similar in look to what was there before. Space efficiency, one the previous Civic’s best virtues, is a highlight on the new car as well. The Civic is one of the roomiest cars in its class, and with supportive seats, comfortable as well.

Mainstream Civics are powered by the 140 horsepower 1.8L four used last year, but various tweaks have reduced city fuel consumption to 7.2L/100 km from 8.2L/100 km. Five-speed transmissions, a manual and an automatic, return for 2012. An ECO button, which changes performance parameters of the car to enhance fuel economy, is fitted to all models except the Si. The 2L four of the 2011 Si model has been superceded by a big 2.4L engine that produces 200 horsepower. That said, torque output, at only 170 lb.ft., is a bit anemic for the capacity. A six-speed manual transmission is the sole gearbox offered on the Si.

Though not on sale in Canada as of yet, Honda U.S. presented a 2012 Civic hybrid. The 1.5L gasoline engine combines with the 23 horsepower electric motor to produce 110 horsepower. Power reaches the wheels exclusively via a CVT. The electric motor only provides an assist to the frugal gasoline engine, and cannot power the car by itself. Honda claims a city fuel economy figure of 5.4L/100 km.

2013 Ford Taurus

Ford, exhausted from a new product blitz that included the Fiesta, Focus and the Explorer, showed a revised Taurus that won’t go on sale until early 2012.

Like most mid-cycle remakes, changes include a new hood, grille, lights and front fascia, with styling revisions to the rear as well. The grille is less fussy than the current car. Interior updates include more elegant materials as well as an electronic instrument package and a touch-screen interface for minor controls.

Mechanical updates include a 237 horsepower turbocharged 2L four cylinder engine also offered on the Explorer and a more powerful (297 versus 263) version of the returning 3.5L V6. The revised SHO turbocharged V6 returns for 2013.

Fuel economy is stated to be improved due to electric power steering, and better aerodynamics, including active grille shutters that close when less engine cooling is required. Several current Ford features such as adaptive cruise control, curve control, torque vectoring and self-parking, all find their way into the 2013 Taurus.

JEEP

Chrysler did not show anything really new at the show but did unveil some variations and extensions of the current model line.

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8

This high-performance Grand Cherokee is powered by a 6.4L V8 cranking out 450 horsepower. Jeep claims a 0-100 km/h figure of around five seconds and a top speed limited to 155 mp/h. A multi-mode active damping system can be switched to modes like sport, auto, snow and tow. Jeep admits the SRT8 is a niche model expected to capture around eight percent of Grand Cherokee intenders until performance buyers are sated, dropping off as the model ages.

Jeep is building diesel-powered Grand Cherokees for export, but diesel power won’t be available in North America until the 2013 model year at the earliest.

Photo courtesy of Jeep

Jeep also announced that the modern 3.6L Pentastar V6 will find its way under the hood of the 2012 Wrangler, replacing the slow and wheezy 3.8L V6 used in the current model since it was introduced.

Nissan Versa

Nissan unveiled the second-generation Versa sedan at the New York show. Only the sedan was shown, but a hatchback, which was the more popular body style on the first Versa, should follow in due course. After the clean, modern style of the first Versa, the new car is visually very busy, and, frankly, retro, looking a lot the first-generation Toyota Prius.

The cabin is roomy for a B-Segment car, but doesn’t seem as spacious as its extraordinarily roomy predecessor. The dashboard features big gauges and logical controls, but cabin fittings feature a lot of hard, shiny plastics, not the padded upper doors and attractive fabrics of the old Versa. Big trunk.

Power stems from a new 1.6L four producing 109 horsepower. The new engine utilizes a duel injection system said to meter out fuel in a more efficient manner than before. The engine also includes variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust valves. Weighing about 150 pounds less than the 2011 Versa and hooked to a new CVT with broader ratios, fuel mileage is said to have increased about five miles per gallon.

The previous Versa represented such a compelling space/value proposition that many Sentra intenders bought the Versa instead. This new car will satisfy a lot of buyers, but those seeking more luxury and performance will now be more easily convince to move up to the Sentra.

In the U.S., the new Versa sedan will go on sale this summer with an MSRP of just under $11,000, including air conditioning.

Murano Convertible

Though not unveiled at the show, Nissan did have the Murano convertible on display. It is a two-door, four-seat soft-top CUV. As incongruous as the concept seems, the vehicle is quite attractive, roomy, comfortable and luxuriously finished. The Murano convertible will not be sold in Canada, at least not yet, as demand is thought to be too small to justify offering it.
Something this unusual hasn’t been offered since the Renault Avantime, a coupe version of the Espace minivan, ceased production a few years ago.

Hyundai Accent

Though unveiled in Montreal and shown in Toronto, the new Accent made its U.S. debut in New York.

The car is very good looking, perhaps the best example of Hyundai’s “Fluidic Sculpture” styling theme. Sedan and four-door hatchback body styles will be offered.

The dashboard, with big, clear gauges and logical climate controls, is an example for others to follow. Though dashboard and upper doors are unpadded, they bear interesting patterns, feature matte finishes and are quite attractive. Elegant two-toning and chic fabrics complete a cabin that is punching above its weight for a B-segment car. Cabin space is also impressive for the segment, with only the Honda Fit beating it for rear seat legroom. Big trunk.

Power stems from a new 1.6L direct injection four that cranks out 138 horsepower, an impressive figure for this type of car. Power reaches the front wheels via either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic.

Hyundai in the U.S. announced a guaranteed trade-in plan whereby Hyundai will guarantee the value of your new car when you go to trade it in. Hyundai says that its cars now retain their value as well as Toyotas, so they are eliminating one of the last few objections people give for not buying a new Hyundai, poor resale value.

Chevrolet Malibu

2013 Chevrolet Malibu

GM showed the new Malibu which will not go on sale until the first quarter of 2012.

The car is built in the shorter version of the Epsilon II platform also used by the Buick Regal, to make room for the next Impala which is due in the next year or so. The new car lacks the visual purity and elegance of the current Malibu, taking on an, according to GM, a “Sportier” styling theme. Though better looking than in photos, the car looks bulkier and stylistically busier than before. Though shorter than before, the new Malibu is much wider. The Malibu’s tail treatment is dominated by Camaro-like rear lights.

The cabin of the next Malibu, with clear gauges, logical controls, chic two-toning, lots of padded surfaces and quality materials, is quite well done. The front seats are large and supportive, but the rear seat is too close to the floor and lacks support for adults. The shorter wheelbase of the new car takes its toll on rear seat legroom, which is more C-segment than D-segment. Little of the massive increase in exterior width appears to have found its way inside.

Power will be derived from a 2.5L four, sending power to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic. Chevrolet will offer something called E Assist, a mild hybrid system that is also available on the LaCrosse and Regal from Buick.

Subaru Impreza

The new Impreza, with a very similar grille and prominent fender flares, resembles the larger Subaru Legacy. Sedan and four-door hatchback body styles will be offered.

Though there are no padded surfaces other than the upholstery, the matte-finished hard plastics inside the new Impreza are attractive enough. Big, clear gauges and three-dial climate controls are located in a conservatively-styled cabin. The longer wheelbase combines with clever packaging to make the new Impreza one of the roomiest cars in its class, and with supportive seats front and rear, one of the most comfortable. Good rear headroom, even on the hatchback variant. Good cargo space regardless of the body style. Smaller windshield pillars and 23 percent more glazing have increased outward visibility.

A 2L version of the new-generation twin-cam flat-four that debuted in the 2011 Forester, powers the new Impreza. Though it produces 148 horsepower, 22 less than the 2.5L it replaces, lighter vehicle weight and an efficient CVT have maintained performance while increasing fuel economy to 36 miles per U.S. gallon on the highway.

The 2012 Impreza goes on sale this fall.

Scion FR-S Concept

The FR-S Concept sets the package size and styling themes for a sporty 2+2 rear-wheel drive compact coupe that is about a year away. Though no final details are available, the car will be powered by a 2L flat-four provided by Subaru, who will also produce a version of the car. Two six-speed transmissions, a manual and an automatic, are planned for the Scion variant of the car.

Audi

Stephen Colbert

Audi had no new cars to show but its U.S. chief did do a comedy routine with TV personality Stephen Colbert.

Volkswagen

VW showed its Beetle (no longer New, apparently), which goes on sale this fall.

2012 VW Beetle

Once again, the Beetle is based on the Golf platform. The car looks less whimsical this time around, to appeal to more male buyers. The cabin is nicely done, with a flat dashboard, available in body colour, reminiscent of the original Beetle. Power stems from three familiar Golf engines, a 2.5L five, a 2L turbo four as well as a 2L turbodiesel. A convertible can be expected in due course.

VW Bulli

This electric-powered concept vehicle may be the prelude to a New Age VW Van. The van is compact, yet, with two bench seats, can seat up to six. Unlike the original rear-engined van, this vehicle, will feature a conventional front-wheel drive layout.

Chrysler 300

Chrysler 300 S

Chrysler will expand the 300 lineup for the 2012 model year. SRT8, 300S, and 300C Executive variants of its big sedan will be added, as will an all-wheel drive version of the V6 300.

World Car of the Year

Started in 2004, and presented in New York since 2006, the World Car of the Year is now the second most covered auto award in the world as measured by the number of media references generated by it. The organizers expect it to be the most coveted auto award in the world by 2015.

The jury for the award is a 66 member strong cadre of automotive journalists from Asia, Europe and North America.

Following are the category winners.

Green Car of the Year: Chevrolet Volt

Design of the Year: Aston Martin Rapide

Performance car of the Year: Ferrari 458 Italia

World car of the Year: Nissan Leaf

Nissan Leaf

MINI

MINI had no new cars to show, but has forged a marketing alliance for the upcoming tour of the band KISS. MINI has created a special version of the Countryman for all members of the band. The band-member cars will be auctioned off at the end of the tour, and graphic-wrap packages of the custom band-member cars will be available from MINI, with proceeds of wrap sales going to UNICEF.

KISS

Tour Cars

Kia Rio

Kia Rio Hatchback	Kia Rio Sedan

Kia showed off sedan and five-door hatchback versions of the 2012 Kia Rio. Based Based on the new Hyundai Accent, the Rio shares the Accent’s 138 horsepower 1.6L four-cylinder engine and six-speed transmissions (automatic and manual). Kia will offer fuel saving idle-stop technology on the Rio that isn’t available on the Accent.

The Rios share no exterior panels with the Accent, being more ovoid in appearance than their Hyundai cousins. The cabin on the Rio is bespoke as well, featuring a three-dial gauge cluster compared with the two-dial instrumentation in the Accent. The dash centre stack contains logical three-knob climate controls. Comfortable seats and good space front and rear for a car this size. The slightly shiny hard plastic cabin materials don’t look as upscale as those used in the Accent.

Kia Soul

2012 Kia Soul

The 2012 Kia Soul enjoys a number of updates. These include new front lights, grille, bumpers and hoods. The cabin has also been updated, with altered climate controls and revised trim as well.

Mechanical changes include the new direct-injected 1.6L four used in the Rio, as well as a 160 horsepower (up from 142) version of the 2L four used in the Forte. Six-speed transmissions (manual or automatic), replace the five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions used last year.
Kia claim that a lot of effort has been expended to enhance refinement, an issue with the Soul since its launch.

Fiat 500 Cabrio

The newly-launched 500 hatchback has quickly been joined by the convertible version of the car. Not a true convertible, but a “Transformable”, where a giant cloth sunroof unfurls between fixed roof pillars. The roof, including the glass rear window, electrically folds into the trunk. The roof can be retracted up to 96 km/h. Subtle styling changes include a longer windshield which contains a strengthening cross-member and also reduces air buffeting inside the car when the roof is open. The Cabrio is unchanged mechanically.

In the U.S., the Cabrio is offered in Pop and Lounge trim levels. There is a hefty $4000 price supplement for the cabrio in the United States.

LeMay Automobile Museum

The New York show is not all new cars, there are some older ones as well. The LeMay museum from Tacoma Washington has shown cars from its collection in New York for a number of years. This year they concentrated on micro cars, a selection of which follow.

1972 Citroen Ami 8 Break

1960 Autobianchi Bianchina Transformable

A quartet of BMW Isettas

1967 NSU Wankel Spyder

1959 Messerschmitt KR 200